The Venice girls’ basketball team is off to an impressive start this season, boasting a 5–1 record Thursday.
“Season’s going really well right now. The attitude of the players is really great,” said coach Dominic Flores. “Everybody is cheering each other on and I couldn’t be happier.”
Even after losing several key seniors last year, the team’s chemistry has remained strong thanks to standout leadership from the captains.
“Team chemistry is great. The captains are great. They’re promoting success for everybody. There’s no jealousy,” Flores said.
Sophomore captain Leah Matsubayashi, a co-captain with Remy Castillo echoed that confidence, noting how the team’s preparation has been paying off.
“I think it’s going really well. All the practices are definitely paying off,” she said. “The team chemistry is a lot better. I really like the energy the team’s bringing.”
Despite the departures of several seniors, Matsubayashi said the current roster has stepped up.
“I think we’re amping it up a lot more than last year,”
In addition to league goals, Matsubayashi emphasized the team’s determination heading into high-pressure games.
“I really hope that we will beat them,” she said. “I think we have a really good chance this year.”
Coach Flores highlighted the traditional league rivals the team will face in the coming weeks such as Westchester, Palisades, and Hamilton as the teams to watch.
Beyond league play, Venice is preparing for a major non-league challenge on December 23 against Windward.
“They’re very competitive in the CIF Southern Section, so that’ll be a huge test for us,” Flores said.
With strong leadership, improving chemistry, and a perfect start to the season, the Gondoliers are heading into league play with confidence and momentum. Both Flores and Matsubayashi agree that the combination of experienced players and motivated underclassmen will be key to maintaining their winning streak as the season progresses.
The Gondoliers were to have played Taft Thursday afternoon and Fairfax Friday. According to Matsubayashi, the match-up was critical for league positioning.
